A Fishy Dish (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) (16 page)

Just like that, Hannah knew she was dismissed. With any luck, she could track down Leah and pump her for information.

Samantha waited for Hannah behind the wheel of Mini May. “What was that chit chat about? You and the deputy are big best buddies now?”

“Ha. Far from it. I’m under no illusion that Pam is my buddy, or ever will be. I have to tread very carefully around her ego.” Hannah buckled up. “Let’s get back to the cottages before Meg sends out a search party for me.”

A long line snaked to the window of The Fishy Dish. Ruby ran back and forth between the sizzling grill and the tables outside while Meg sweated in the hot kitchen. Her face streaked with grease and sweat and the absence of a smile or greeting when Hannah walked in, revealed Meg’s seriously bad mood.

Unfortunately, Hannah would have to postpone her planned conversation with Leah.

Samantha grabbed an apron and pitched right in, helping Ruby deliver meals while Hannah took over the deep fryer filled with hand cut sweet and white potatoes and onion rings. The four worked around each other as if they were all in some sort of choreographed dance. Until, finally, the hungry crowd thinned.

Meg poured herself a large glass of ice water and sat at the snack bar counter. “I think we picked up some new business since The Chowder House is closed. Jerry still seems to be under the illusion that Chef Belair will take it over and reopen. He’s desperate to get that account back.”

Hannah was glad that the dark cloud over Meg had lifted.

“We should talk to the chef about his plans before he blindsides us like Gavin did. I’d hate for all these new customers that showed up today to just evaporate into thin air.” She snapped her fingers. “Like that. How well do you know the fancy schmancy chef?” Hannah asked Meg.

“I don’t know him at all but I’ll convince Jerry to set up a meeting. You know, I have that special, um,
connection
with him.”

Hannah leaned on the counter across from Meg. “Everything’s all patched up with Jerry?”

Meg shrugged. “For now.”

Ruby sat down next to Meg and sighed deeply. “What about Sally?”

“No word about her whereabouts yet. I’m guessing she’ll high tail it home as soon as possible. And Olivia? Is she back to keeping her sharp six-year-old eye on Jack?”

Ruby snorted. “She has more sense in her young brain than I ever had. She doesn’t want to let him out of her sight. She and Nellie have taken Jack’s safety on as their job.”

Hannah looked over Ruby’s shoulder to see Leah White walking in the direction of the snack bar. Perfect timing.

“Hi Leah. Looking for something to eat?” Hannah straightened and moved to the side to be opposite Leah.

“Yeah. Two lobster rolls if it’s not too much trouble.”

“No problem. I’ll have it ready for you in a jiffy.” Before Hannah moved away, she asked, “Any word from Sally?”

Leah looked away. “Um, no. Nothing yet.”

Right, Hannah thought. She answered much too quickly. Something was up for sure.

Hannah kept her eye on Leah who kept glancing toward Cottage Two. If Sally was back, why keep it a secret?

“Here you go.” Hannah handed Leah a paper bag with her order.

“Oh dear. I forgot my purse. I’ll be right back with my wallet.” Leah started to walk away.

“Don’t worry. I’ll add it to your bill. You can pay when you check out of the cottage.”

“Right. We’ll be leaving this afternoon. Matt already went home. I’ll be over in a little while to settle the bill.” She tucked the bag under her arm and walked quickly to her cottage.

“Did you notice how she kept looking at her cottage?” Samantha asked.

Hannah nodded. “And there’s a light back in her eyes. Did you notice that she ordered
two
lobster rolls but said Matt already went home? Either Leah is starving or someone else is in Cottage Two with her.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Samantha spun around on the stool she was perched on.

“Let’s give them a few minutes to enjoy the food. You keep an eye on any activity at her cottage while I help Meg clean up here,” Hannah said.

“Sure, I’ll wait right here with one of those delicious lobster rolls and just put it on my cottage bill, my dear.” Samantha winked at Hannah.

“When do you want to have the meeting with Chef Belair?” Meg asked Hannah after Samantha was busy eating and watching.

“Later this afternoon? Check with Jerry and maybe we could meet at the dock.”

“Let’s have him come here. Wouldn’t that give us the upper hand?” Meg suggested.

Hannah sprayed all the stainless steel surfaces and wiped them clean of the splattered grease. “I don’t care; just let me know when and where.” She wiped her hands on a towel. “You all set? I have to check on one of my guests.”

Meg nodded and flicked her wrist. “Go on. Get out of my way.”

Samantha mopped up every last lobster morsel from her paper plate with the tip of her finger. “Can’t let any of
that
go to waste.” She crunched up the plate and tossed everything in the trashcan. “Ready?”

Hannah smiled when she saw Olivia playing in the sand outside the office steps. Nellie sat like a statue guarding the little girl. Jack sat in a chair on the porch with his feet on the railing, his head back and his eyes half closed. “Perfect spot for me to follow the doctor’s order and take it easy.”

Hannah raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, Doctor Olivia. She’s got quite a future.”

Samantha squatted next to Olivia. “What are you making today?”

“A hospital.” She looked at Samantha. “In case Jack gets sick again. He won’t have to wait for the ambulance because the hospital will be right here.”

Samantha chuckled and rubbed Olivia’s head. “Good thinking.”

“I saw your guest brought food back to her cottage. Something going on there?” Jack asked.

“Maybe. Who have you seen going inside today?” Hannah asked.

“Only Leah White. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of her husband. There’s something off with that guy if you ask me.”

Hannah considered Jack’s words. “Maybe I should go by myself,” she said to Samantha. “You can stay here and play in the sand with Olivia.”

Hannah didn’t wait for a reply; her mind was already wondering what she’d find behind the door of Cottage Two. If anything. The walk there seemed longer than usual, as she was anxious to find out what was going on.

She knocked; and waited

She jiggled her foot in anticipation.

The door cracked open and terrified eyes peeked through the narrow opening.

“Leah? Could I come in for a minute?”

“Are you alone? Is Matt around?”

Hannah checked the parking lot. “No. I haven’t seen him. What’s wrong?” She felt her heart rate quicken in response to Leah’s nervousness.

Leah pulled the door open enough for Hannah to squeeze inside.

Sally sat huddled on the floor, her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around her legs. Her head was cradled on her knees. A half-eaten lobster roll was on the floor next to her.

Hannah’s heart pounded.

“What’s wrong?”

“Sally called me to pick her up.” Leah sobbed. “Ever since we got here, she hasn’t said a word.”

Chapter 19

Hannah let herself slide down the wall next to Sally. “How did the lobster roll taste? You didn’t finish. Maybe you’d like something else?”

“It was okay,” Sally mumbled without raising her head. “Do you have any fries? And maybe a soda?”

Hannah took the same position as Sally and turned her head toward the scared girl. “I can certainly fix you up with fries. How about a cold, tangy lemonade to go with them?”

“Okay.”

Hannah stood up, called Meg, put the order in, and told her she would be there shortly to pick it up. It was painfully obvious that Sally couldn’t handle any other people coming inside the cottage.

Leah stood at the window, back a few feet but close enough to get a wide view. Her head swung side to side.

“I’ll walk back to the snack bar and get your food.” Hannah left the mother and daughter alone, hoping that they would talk to each other before she returned.

What happened to that poor girl, Hannah wondered as she walked along the sandy path. Did she hear something? See something? Whatever it was, she wouldn’t be able to hold it in forever.

Meg already had the hot fries in a paper cone with plenty of her homemade ketchup. Hannah grabbed a cold lemonade, changed her mind and decided to take one for Leah, too, and headed back toward Cottage Two. As she approached Olivia and Samantha playing in the sand, she decided to give Nellie a job.

“Come on girl. I want you to meet someone.”

Nellie sat like a sentinel over Olivia and refused to budge. Olivia hugged the golden colored dog and whispered in her ear. She looked up at Hannah. “I told her I’d be okay here with Samantha and Jack and she could go with you, Hannah.”

“Thanks, Olivia.” Hannah didn’t miss the questioning look from Samantha but she kept her mouth shut. For once.

Nellie followed alongside Hannah as they approached Cottage Two. Hannah rested her hand on Nellie’s soft-as-silk head. “Let’s see if you can work your magic with Sally. She’s desperate for a friend right about now.”

Leah must have been watching through the window because she had the door open as soon as Hannah arrived.

With one hand holding the bag of fries, she patted her side with her other hand for Nellie to follow her into the cottage.

Hannah handed the bag to Sally. She inhaled deeply and plunged her hand inside the bag.

Nellie, with her dog sense able to zero in on someone needing comfort, lay down next to Sally and rested her head on the teen’s leg. The edge of Sally’s mouth twitched slightly as she stroked Nellie’s fur. “Who are you?” she asked as if she actually expected Nellie to answer.

“That’s Nellie, dog extraordinaire. She’s the best listener, and lately she’s added exceptional guard dog to her list of talents.”

“That’s what I need,” Sally mumbled. She leaned close to Nellie’s ear. “Will you protect me?”

Hannah looked at Leah and raised her eyebrows. She wondered what
that
was about. Who did Sally need protection
from
? Leah shrugged. They both remained silent and barely breathing, hoping that Sally would spill her guts to the watchful golden retriever.

After she munched on more French fries and shared some with Nellie, Sally began to talk. Haltingly and quietly.

“I shouldn’t have gone there, Nellie. But that’s where Jan said to meet her. I wish I could erase what I saw, especially . . .” Her voice tapered off, lost in her sobs.

Hannah’s blood rain cold.

The color drained from Leah’s face.

Tears streamed down Sally’s cheeks. She didn’t even bother to wipe them away. Nellie licked her wet cheeks and nuzzled her hand. Sally’s arms wrapped around Nellie’s golden furry neck.

Leah squeezed in next to Sally on the floor. She gently stoked her daughter’s hair. “What did you see, honey. Tell us. Let us help you.”

Sally looked at her mother. “It was Dad. I saw Dad.”

“Where, honey? Where did you see Dad?” Leah asked, her voice soft and gentle.

“Coming out of the back of the restaurant. It wasn’t till later that I heard Gavin Abbott was murdered. Did Dad kill him?”

Hannah’s mind raced. Where
was
Matt? And the way Leah acted so nervous left plenty of room for questions. Did she suspect Matt had something to do with Gavin’s murder? He certainly had a strong motive that festered for years. He was there at the restaurant. There must have been plenty of knives in the kitchen to grab for an easy weapon.

“Think back, Sally. Tell us everything you saw,” Hannah suggested calmly.

“Okay.” Her hand never stopped moving over Nellie’s fur. “Jan texted me to meet her behind the restaurant. She said she had a reporter friend that was going to help us.”

“Help you do what, exactly?” Leah asked.

“Mom, I couldn’t stand that Dad refused to talk to his sister. It just wasn’t right. When Jan reached out to me, it sounded like a good plan at the time. She told me to run away. She would find me, bring me back, and Dad would
have
to forgive her.”

If life’s problems were only that simple and easy to solve, Hannah thought.

“Except your dad’s sister died over a year ago, Sally. You didn’t know that. This woman claiming to be your Aunt Jan was using you.”

Sally buried her face in her hands. “I got suspicious of her. She didn’t know any of the stories from when Dad and Jan were little. I asked her about the story when she broke her arm when she was a kid, really just making conversation, but she looked at me like I had two heads.”

“And that’s when you called your mom’s phone?” Hannah asked.

Sally nodded. “Everything turned into a disaster. Jan wasn’t who she was supposed to be. Gavin was dead. And Dad . . .” She fell apart before she could finish her sentence.